Somehow Otter had become so much a part of their lives, that, even in their preparations to leave for England, neither of them had ever thought of parting from him.
“Why do you wish to go?” he added.
“Because I am an ugly old black dog, Baas, and can be of no further use to you out yonder,” and he nodded towards the sea.
“I suppose you mean that you do not want to leave Africa, even for a while,” said Leonard, with ill-concealed grief and vexation. “Well, it is hard to part with you like this. Also,” he added with a little laugh, “it is awkward, for I owe you more than a year’s wages, and have not the money to spare to pay you. Moreover, I had taken your passage on the ship.”
“What does the Baas say?” asked Otter slowly; “that he has bought me a place in the Steam-fish?”
Leonard nodded.
“Then I beg your pardon, Baas. I thought that you had done with me and were going to throw me away like a worn-out spear.”
“So you wish to come, Otter?” said Leonard.
“Wish to come!” he answered wonderingly. “Are you not my father and my mother, and is not the place where you may be my place? Do you know what I was going to do just now, Baas? I was going to climb to the top of a tree and watch the Steam-fish till it vanished over the edge of the world; then I would have taken this rope, which already has served me well among the People of the Mist, and set it about my throat and hanged myself there in the tree, for that is the best end for old dogs, Baas.”
Leonard turned away to hide the tears which started to his eyes, for the dwarf’s fidelity touched him more than he cared to show. Seeing his trouble, Juanna took up the talk to cover his confusion.